Arsenal Revives Interest in Barcola as Transfer Window Heats Up
The summer window has lurched into another gear. Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are all scrambling to get business done before the deadline – and the same names keep colliding across their shortlists.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola has been given new life. Liverpool, frustrated by the pace and complexity of negotiations, are reportedly ready to walk away from talks over the winger. That opens the door for the Gunners, who are also tracking Julian Alvarez and Iliman Ndiaye as they look to sharpen Mikel Arteta’s attack.
At the back, Arsenal are monitoring Jules Kounde, with Ezri Konsa also on their radar as they weigh up defensive reinforcements.
Hall pushes for United move as Lewis-Skelly offered around
The dominoes are lining up elsewhere. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to both Chelsea and Manchester United after Bruno Guimaraes’s move to Arsenal cast serious doubt over the versatile defender’s future. His camp now waits for a concrete move while the market shifts around him.
United’s search for a left-back is intensifying. Lewis Hall is high on their list, alongside David Raum, Antonee Robinson and Jorge Salinas. Newcastle insist Hall is not for sale after already losing Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimaraes, but the defender is understood to be pushing for a switch to Old Trafford.
Reports claim Hall has made clear his desire to leave, with lingering frustration over the tactical decisions of former manager Eddie Howe, which he is said to believe cost him a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. The arrival of Matthias Jaissle has not cooled that feeling, and United are probing the conditions of a deal despite Newcastle’s hardline stance.
Chelsea seal Chavarria as they brace for Enzo interest
Chelsea, meanwhile, have chalked up their ninth signing of the summer. Pep Chavarria has officially joined the club and could quickly become part of Enzo Maresca’s energetic, high-tempo blueprint.
“This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Chavarria said, describing himself as an all-action, box-to-box presence with “a lot of energy on the pitch”. The Spaniard arrives after spending his career in LaLiga and believes the Premier League is “the best league in the world right now”.
Inside Stamford Bridge, there is also a watchful eye on Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea believe Manchester City are interested in the midfielder, a potential flashpoint that could yet reshape the final weeks of their window.
Tottenham juggle exits and big attacking targets
Across north London, Tottenham’s plans are bold and ruthless. Cody Gakpo and Savinho remain at the top of their attacking wishlist as they look to add more incision to Ange Postecoglou’s frontline.
To fund and balance that ambition, major departures are on the table. Spurs are set to sell Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid, a move that would rip out a cornerstone of their defence but free up significant funds and wages. Inter Milan, meanwhile, are back in for Djed Spence, whose time at Tottenham looks close to ending.
Spence is edging towards a cut-price exit, with Standard Sport understanding Inter are nearing agreement on a fee of around £25.6million. After an impressive World Cup, the 26-year-old’s stock has soared, and he wants assurances over regular minutes that Roberto De Zerbi cannot provide at Spurs. The head coach has made clear he will not block a move if Spence chooses to go.
Interest in Omar Marmoush, Florin Balogun and Georges Mikautadze underlines just how aggressively Tottenham are scouring the forward market.
Barcelona circle Porro as Kounde questions grow
The Kounde saga is starting to ripple out. With Arsenal’s interest in the France international growing, Barcelona have begun to prepare for life without him.
The Catalan club have made an initial approach for Pedro Porro, contacting the Tottenham right-back’s representatives as they explore replacements. Porro only signed a new long-term contract in June, tying him to Spurs until 2031, and De Zerbi views the Spain international as a key part of his project.
That stance means Barcelona face a serious battle if they push ahead. Their pursuit is expected to intensify if Arsenal move decisively for Kounde, turning Porro into one of the most hotly contested defenders in Europe before the window shuts.
Liverpool rethink as Ndiaye rejects Saudi move
Liverpool’s own reset on Barcola has forced them to scan alternative attacking options, with their patience in negotiations wearing thin. One name that refuses to go away is Iliman Ndiaye.
The Everton forward has rejected an offer from Al Hilal, keeping the Premier League as his priority. The Senegal international, 26, is in no rush to force a move this summer and is said to be confident of attracting major interest in future windows, but Arsenal and Manchester United have both been linked with him before the Saudi bid surfaced.
His decision to turn down the Gulf money keeps alive the prospect of a domestic tug-of-war – if not now, then soon.
Palace bring Guessand home, Spurs loan out Yang
Away from the headline deals, Crystal Palace have quietly completed a piece of business that could prove smart. Evann Guessand has returned to Selhurst Park on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to buy.
“I already have good memories here – but I think it’s only the beginning,” he said. “I hope many more are coming.”
Tottenham have also moved another piece on their chessboard, sending young striker Yang Min-Hyeok back out on loan. After spells with Portsmouth and Coventry last season, Yang will spend the upcoming campaign with Belgian side Westerlo, another step in a carefully managed development path.
The clock is ticking, the wishlists are shrinking, and the prices are rising. With so many of the same names in the sights of England’s biggest clubs, who blinks first in the final weeks of this window may define the entire season.
